15 Oil-Free Moisturizers an Esthetician Uses to Combat Dry Skin

Kelly Dawson is a writer and editor who focuses on architecture, interior design, and culture. She regularly contributes to Architectural Digest's vertical Clever and Domino, and she's been writing for Dwell Magazine since 2015.

Now that the harsh days of winter are slowly fading into our memories, we may soon forget about the care we took of our skin during that tough season, too. It's true that the dry patches and cracked surfaces that blemished our profiles may be signs of the recent past, but their disappearance doesn't mean that our skincare routines should go with them. In fact, if there's one product that should be a part of a daily regimen regardless of the weather, it's an oil-free moisturizer.

"An oil-free moisturizer is a way to deliver much-needed hydration to the oily skin," Kelly Carney, a Los Angeles–based esthetician with more than 15 years of experience, says. "We need to make sure we are giving our skin 'a drink' to maintain its balance of oil and water." While Carney says that oily-skin types would benefit most from these types of moisturizers, everyone can use them to see improvements — even those on the opposite end of the spectrum.

"It is perfectly fine for dry skin to use an oil-free option," Carney continues. "Some people simply prefer the lighter feel of an oil-free moisturizer." When it comes to a regimen, Carney says that an oil-free moisturizer should be applied every morning and evening as the last step of a routine. And if you're not sure where to start, Carney also provided 15 recommendations of oil-free moisturizers that should make their way into your rotation.

Carney is a representative for Cosmedix, and she recommends this moisturizer because it helps "firm, smooth, and brighten the appearance of skin over time," she says. "This unique formula not only provides hydration to oily skin but also provides superior anti-aging benefits."

Other than its unique spray applicator, Carney likes this option because it "eliminates dry skin, reduces the appearance of oil, and protects skin from environmental and free radical damage," she says.